Banister's first amateur publication was The Nekromantikon, a speculative fiction fanzine subtitled ""The Amateur Magazine of Weird and Fantasy", focusing on fiction in the weird, fantasy and science fiction genres. Five issues were released in the 1950s. It was a mimeographed publication and the cover and illustrations for the first issue were made with linoleum cuts, carved and printed by the editor. All the issues have colour covers, issues two through five using photo-engravings.

The first issue was released in 1950, and four issues were released that year, seasonally; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The final issue was released in 1951.

Also in August of 1950 he published a one shot fanzine called Egoboo: Or The Time Traveler's Travail, which consists of a 24 page story he had written. It was published by Nekromantikon Press.

He was a regular contributor to science fiction fanzines during this period. In 1957 he wrote Conquest of Earth, a science fiction book. His short stories had been published in a number of "Pulp" Magazines of the 1950s and 1960s, including Weird Tales, Astounding Science Fiction, Fantastic, Thrilling Wonder Tales, and others. He went on to publish a number of books on bookbinding and book making.